Greenhouse automation with greenhouse climate control systems

On this page, we will provide a clear explanation of what a greenhouse climate control computer is. We’ll also discuss the advantages of greenhouse climate control systems, what greenhouse climate computers can do and how variables such as greenhouse temperature can be regulated keeping large fluctuations within boundaries.

We’ll highlight some important reasons why growers should consider implementing greenhouse control systems, the background information on the software and hardware of smart greenhouse computers.

Also, we will show what can be automatically controlled with a greenhouse climate control system and the steps towards autonomous greenhouses.

Let’s start with: What is greenhouse climate control?

Greenhouse control is the management and regulation of indoor environmental growing conditions in a greenhouse, so that plants can grow optimally and healthy. Greenhouses are structures designed to create a controlled environment for plants by manipulating factors such as temperature, humidity, light, and ventilation. So that, independent of outdoor conditions, crops can still be grown. Even in the winter or up north in Iceland, where tomato production in professional greenhouses would not have been possible without producing it in greenhouses.

Greenhouse controllers are used to maintain these factors within specific ranges to create an ideal growing environment for crops and flowers.

With a greenhouse climate control computer, a more stable growing environment can be created, which ensures a more constant and higher yield throughout the production cycle. Also, energy usage for heating, cooling, and lighting can be optimized with self-learning system algorithms of the latest greenhouse climate control systems. Whether you are growing crops in mid-tech plastic tunnels, high-tech glass greenhouses, or cultivating lettuce indoors with only artificial lighting, it can be said that using climate control greenhouse technology is essential to help you steer the growing environment.

growing Cucumber plants in greenhouse

What are greenhouse climate control systems?

The climate in a greenhouse is managed by a greenhouse climate control system. Greenhouse climate control systems monitor and regulate factors in greenhouses so that plants can grow optimally. This is done by a central greenhouse climate computer and greenhouse controllers. Optimizing greenhouse production requires a smart approach, ensuring maximum yield and perfect crop quality. Achieving these goals involves comprehensive control over the greenhouse climate.

Low-tech

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Mid-tech

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High-tech

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Since the first Dutch greenhouse climate computer was introduced over 50 years ago, smart greenhouse climate control systems have helped growers around the world grow profitable crops and ensure optimal growth of their crops in greenhouses. Nowadays, wireless-controlled greenhouse automation enables remote control, eliminating the need for on-site management.

Whether operating in a predominantly hot or cold winter climate, greenhouse temperature control systems empower growers to cultivate any greenhouse crop, anywhere in the world. To future-proof greenhouse businesses, Dutch greenhouse automation software and climate control greenhouse systems are continuously updated, providing a secure and smart system that uses the latest horticulture growth algorithms for optimal yield prediction and production.

What does it mean to grow crops in a controlled environment?

Growing crops in a controlled environment means that the crops are, to an extent, protected from the outdoor environment. The degree of protection depends on how modern the greenhouse is. In a controlled environment (in greenhouses or indoor climate chambers), the growing conditions are carefully regulated by using technologies like climate control, artificial lighting, and irrigation.

Growing in a controlled environment optimizes environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and nutrient levels to enhance plant growth and productivity.

Growing crops indoors has many benefits, such as year-round cultivation of high-quality crops, reduction of pests and plant diseases, and increased efficiency of water and nutrient usage.

Why are greenhouse climate control systems being used by high yield growers?

Greenhouses with climate control are the standard in modern agricultural practices. In the Netherlands, 96%-98% of all greenhouses are equipped with a greenhouse control system.

In a computer-controlled greenhouse, the yield is easier to predict, based on the data tracked by sensors and human errors in greenhouse operation are reduced. In the Netherlands, a greenhouse climate control system is essential due to the extremely high operational costs. Ensuring that all environmental conditions are optimized contributes to the profitability of greenhouse businesses. Using a greenhouse climate computer automizes the greenhouse operation.

cucumber lighting - horticulture plant lighting

Dutch greenhouse climate control computers

Dutch expertise in greenhouse technology has positioned Dutch climate control computers as industry leaders, providing a sustainable and resource-efficient solution for the greenhouse horticulture sector. Dutch Greenhouse Climate control computers play a crucial role in optimizing environmental conditions for efficient plant growth in greenhouses around the world. Using Dutch greenhouse climate control systems can help you improve the growing environment and increase your yield.

However, this type of controller has limited abilities to efficiently control humidity or to increase energy efficiency in the greenhouse.

Switching from low-tech greenhouses to mid-tech greenhouses with the use of greenhouse climate control systems can professionalize and optimalize the greenhouse operation.

growing vine tomatoes with hydroponics in a greenhouse.

What types of greenhouse climate control computers exist?

There are different types of greenhouse climate control computers available on the market. The choice of the best greenhouse computer system depends on the size of the greenhouse and how modern the greenhouse is—the level of technologies implemented in the greenhouse.

All climate computers receive data from sensors to measure the prevailing greenhouse conditions. A more advanced version of the greenhouse computer also measures different plant parameters and uses optimization models and weather predictions to create a better growing environment for greenhouse crops while reducing the usage of energy.

For a small, low-tech greenhouse, a simple greenhouse controller to turn on/off the lights or to switch on/off the heating might not be enough.

However, this type of controller has limited abilities to efficiently control humidity or to increase energy efficiency in the greenhouse.

Switching from low-tech greenhouses to mid-tech greenhouses with the use of greenhouse climate control systems can professionalize and optimalize the greenhouse operation.

growing vine tomatoes with hydroponics in a greenhouse.

FAQ about greenhouse environment control & climate controller for greenhouse systems

Environmental conditions in a greenhouse are managed through precise control of key factors such as temperature, humidity, light levels, and ventilation. Automated greenhouse systems with greenhouse climate computers, greenhouse controllers and greenhouse sensors play a crucial role in maintaining optimal growing conditions for plants.

Three essential conditions controlled in a greenhouse are temperature, humidity, and light intensity. These factors are critical for creating an environment conducive to plant growth and development. However, there are more conditions that can be controlled in a greenhouse, depending on the complexity of the greenhouse. Other greenhouse conditions that can be controlled are for example pH and EC of the nutrient water of the greenhouse hydroponic system. 

CO₂ levels in a greenhouse are measured through CO₂ meters (NDIR sensor) and regulated through controlled supplementation. Additional Co₂ inflow can be done by using for example CO₂ generators, external brought in CO₂ tanks or industrial CO₂ from a nearby harbour or factory.  Monitoring and adjusting CO₂ concentrations are very important to improved photosynthesis and plant productivity.

A greenhouse temperature that is too high can lead to heat stress for the plants. The upper temperature limit for a greenhouse depends on the plant species that is being cultivated and the stage of the plant development. For most crops, the accepted temperature range is 20°C–30°C.

Tomatoes, for example, stop producing fruits when the air temperature reach 32°C, so it is important to have the means (greenhouse climate screens, evaporative pads etc) to regulate the air temperature in the greenhouse when it gets hot on a sunny day as high temperatures will seriously affect the productivity of the crop.

Microclimate control involves strategic placement of greenhouse sensors, heating/cooling systems, proper ventilation, and the use of shade structures such as a “greenhouse climate screens”. These measures help create uniform growing conditions throughout the greenhouse.

Neither too high nor too low humidity levels are good for the growth of greenhouse crops. Humidity in the greenhouse is managed by using ventilation and dehumidification systems to reduce the humidity level in the greenhouse.

Implementing misting systems helps to increase the humidity in the greenhouse (and to reduce the greenhouse environment temperature).

These measures prevent excess moisture, which can lead to fungal diseases, or excessive transpiration when humidity is too low.

Winter greenhouse temperatures are regulated by using heating systems in regions where the winter environment temperature is lower than the optimum growing temperature of the crops.

Heating in the greenhouse makes sure that the growing season doesn’t end at the end of the summer and that growers can produce crops year round. A greenhouse climate computer can measure the environment temperature and regulate the heating system automatically. 

There are different sources of heat that can warm up the greenhouse. Dutch greenhouses frequently use CHP systems, also known as cogeneration (in Dutch:”Warmte-krachtkoppeling (WKK))”. These systems simultaneously generate electricity and capture the waste heat produced during the process. The electricity is used to power the greenhouse, while the captured heat is utilized for heating.

Other possible heating sources include: residual heat flow from data centre/city (using a heat exchange system) and geothermal energy for greenhouse heating.

There are multiple ways to decrease the temperature in the greenhouse. Possible options include: opening greenhouse windows to let hot air out and cool air in (the cheapest solution), using fans, employing evaporative cooling with evaporation pads, implementing active cooling with air-conditioning-like systems, and using shade cloths/climate screens to prevent excessive radiation from entering the greenhouse and heating it up.

A too-high greenhouse temperature should be addressed as soon as possible, as plants can suffer from heat stress, leading to reduced productivity.

HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning and yes these are components that all can be well controlled by a greenhouse climate control computer. 

Installing specialized greenhouse cooling systems (airco) it is possible to air condition a (semi/closed) greenhouse. However, keep in mind that this will cost relatively a lot of energy and will increase the operational cost of the greenhouse. Specialized greenhouse air conditioning units designed for horticultural settings can be used to regulate temperatures during hot periods.

As it is easier to cool down the temperature in the evening/night (because there is no solar irradiance then), the cooling solution creates cooler nighttime conditions to compensate for hot hours during the day. By making use of the temperature integration concept (allowing for more variation of the temperature in the greenhouse, as long as the average temperature over a certain period is realized), a better daily temperature averages can be created that promote better plant development.

Scientific Sources